Chapter 12
Needle Marks

When a child is involved, it’s natural for parents to be heartbroken. Cao Haisheng fully understood Shen Moyan’s feelings. Unable to bend down, he personally held the light for Xie Qing.

The master and apprentice started from the neck and worked their way down, checking the elbows, forearms, hands, and even under the watch, but found no needle marks.

The needle marks were tiny and difficult to find, making the process lengthy. Eventually, Shen Moyan, unable to wait any longer, approached Director Yan.

With graying temples, a haggard face, and tears in his eyes, Shen Moyan almost collapsed upon seeing Shen Yi’s body.

“Deputy Mayor Shen,” Director Yan supported him, “You must stay strong.”

“Ugh…” Shen Moyan covered his mouth, letting out a suppressed and painful sob.

…

With Deputy Mayor Shen’s arrival, the city and sub-bureau leaders also came over.

Forensic Doctors An and Ding didn’t slack off and squatted down to help search. However, they couldn’t find any abnormalities in the usual injection sites.

Despite the cool night temperature, everyone’s foreheads were sweating.

Forensic Doctor An whispered, “Should we consider laryngeal edema?”

To confirm laryngeal edema, they would need to “extract the tongue,” which would be a nightmare for the family present.

“Too cruel,” Cao Haisheng gently shook his head.

Xie Qing said, “I’ll check the feet again and then take some blood for testing.”

“Alright,” Cao Haisheng directed the light to the victim’s feet.

Huang Zhenyi squatted down, helped Xie Qing remove the victim’s left shoe and sock, and whispered, “Xiao Xie, keep at it.”

Xie Qing nodded, knelt on one knee, and carefully examined the dorsal vein area of the foot under the light.

“How much longer will this take?” Deputy Mayor Shen’s patience ran out. He pushed Director Yan aside and stumbled forward, “Shen Yi, Shen Yi, get up. Don’t scare your mother and me. Get up quickly.”

Forensic Doctors An and Ding were stunned, unsure whether to continue the autopsy or help him up.

Cao Haisheng didn’t even glance at Shen Moyan, quietly holding the light for Xie Qing.

Director Yan grabbed Shen Moyan’s arm and sternly looked at the master and apprentice.

Xie Qing spread a small patch of skin on the left foot, “Found it, here. The victim indeed died from intravenous injection, likely morphine.”

It wasn’t her poor eyesight; the needle mark was tiny, and Shen Yi’s hair was thick, making it hard to find.

“You’re talking nonsense!” Shen Moyan shouted, “My son Shen Yi was always clean. How could he be involved with that stuff?”

Cao Haisheng explained, “The victim has restraint marks on both shoulders. Gradually, other hidden injuries will appear on the body, indicating the victim was murdered.”

Huang Zhenyi held up an evidence bag, “Indeed, our team found a mobile phone fifty meters away. Deputy Mayor Shen, please identify it.”

Shen Moyan calmed down temporarily, wiped his tears, took the bag, and examined it closely, muttering, “This is his phone, this is his phone. I knew it, I knew my son wasn’t a bad kid.”

Director Yan said, “Deputy Mayor Shen, should we let the forensic doctors take the body to see if there are any other clues?”

“Old Shen, let me see the child,” Madam Wan couldn’t wait any longer.

Shen Moyan said, “Old Yan, let them check first, then take him to the funeral home. Also, I have one request…” He looked at Cao Haisheng, “No excessive autopsy.”

Cao Haisheng said, “We found the needle mark. Next, we’ll test the blood. If we confirm the presence of toxic substances, no autopsy will be needed.”

Shen Moyan sighed in relief, “That’s good.”

Xie Qing and the others stepped aside, temporarily handing the body to the family. Heart-wrenching cries immediately filled the air.

Xie Qing couldn’t bear to watch and turned her head, forcing herself to focus on the surroundings.

The brake marks were clear, indicating someone had stopped the car.

Logically, Shen Yi might have gotten out of the car, either to scold the person or to check if they were injured. The large plane trees on both sides could easily hide several people. As soon as Shen Yi got out of the car, the killers would emerge from behind the trees, overwhelm him, and inject him with a substance. Once the poison took effect, they would leave, discarding the phone in the process.

In an era without surveillance, it was a paradise for the deranged.

…

The funeral home’s car arrived.

The detectives carried Shen Yi’s body onto the vehicle, and Xie Qing and the other three forensic doctors got in as well.

The doors closed, the car started, and Xie Qing noticed Shen Moyan’s car following them.

Forensic Doctor Ding said, “It’s heartbreaking. I really don’t want to face both the deceased and their family at the same time.”

Forensic Doctor An remained silent.

Cao Haisheng didn’t respond either.

Xie Qing, the youngest and least experienced, had to agree, “Indeed.”

Forensic Doctor Ding said, “Xiao Xie, you seem to handle it better than us old forensic doctors.”

If twisted, this could imply “heartless.” But Xie Qing felt Forensic Doctor Ding was straightforward and explained, “It’s not that I’m handling it well; I’m just too scared to look or listen. I almost blocked my ears.”

Forensic Doctor Ding pouted, “I thought so. Usually, newbies cry their eyes out. How could Xiao Xie be indifferent? Now I understand!”

Xie Qing said, “So, to avoid embarrassment, I used all my strength.”

“Using all your strength, that’s an interesting phrase,” Forensic Doctor Ding wanted to laugh but held back, considering the deceased nearby.

Cao Haisheng gave Xie Qing a satisfied look.

They arrived at the funeral home around 5 AM.

The Shen family, Director Yan, Huang Zhenyi, and others escorted the victim to the funeral home’s autopsy room. After repeated instructions, Shen Moyan and his family left.

Xie Qing cut open the victim’s clothing and removed the watch. Cao Haisheng examined the body but found nothing unusual.

Huang Zhenyi said, “The wallet was in the car, but the money was gone. The ID and bank cards were still there, and no fingerprints were found on the wallet. Deputy Mayor Shen said Shen Yi usually carried at least two thousand in cash.”

Cao Haisheng said, “This Titoni watch is worth a few thousand. Although the money was taken, it doesn’t seem like a robbery.”

Huang Zhenyi nodded, “I agree. I think it’s revenge or a vendetta.” He looked at the two forensic doctors from the development zone, “What do you think?”

Forensic Doctor An said, “I have the same opinion.”

Xie Qing closely examined the shoulder blades, finding some paleness indicating restraint marks. She took blood samples and turned the body over, discovering a horizontal pressure mark across the shoulders, more pronounced than the front marks.

Forensic Doctor Ding said, “This is much clearer. There were at least three killers, two holding the arms and one injecting. This mark was likely caused by the victim leaning against the Santana.”

Huang Zhenyi smiled bitterly, “Not just three, at least four trees had fresh footprints, but the killers were cunning and erased them before leaving. We’re facing a formidable opponent, not only with hidden methods but also with counter-surveillance skills.”

The opponent was formidable, and the victim’s identity was significant.

Under these circumstances, the detectives faced immense pressure if they couldn’t solve the case.

“Step by step, overthinking won’t help,” Cao Haisheng methodically re-examined the body, using a magnifying glass to inspect the needle mark on the foot. “The victim doesn’t seem like a drug addict, and there’s no syringe at the scene. Xiao Xie, take the samples to the lab. If morphine is confirmed in the blood, no autopsy will be needed.”

“Yes, Master.” Xie Qing cut a lock of hair from the back of Shen Yi’s head and placed it in an evidence bag.

Huang Zhenyi gestured to her and said to Cao Haisheng, “I’ll take Xiao Xie back and then head to the Golden Cabinet again. Old Cao, Old An, Xiao Ding, the leaders are all here, so you’ll have to work a bit harder.”

Cao Haisheng gave him a disdainful look.

…

Xie Qing followed Huang Zhenyi out of the autopsy room.

Huang Zhenyi praised, “As expected from a Jinghua University graduate, solid foundational knowledge. Xiao Xie did a great job today.”

If Xie Qing hadn’t found anything, the bureau leaders would have been left hanging in front of Deputy Mayor Shen.

If they had brought the body back for an autopsy and concluded “death by morphine,” both the city and sub-bureau would have left a poor impression on the city leaders, causing trouble from top to bottom.

Xie Qing understood the subtle dynamics between superiors and subordinates all too well and smiled, “I’ll gladly accept this compliment, Captain Huang. To be honest, in another year or two, all that unused knowledge will be flushed out of my system.”

Huang Zhenyi pretended to glare at her, “You call that humility?”

Xie Qing replied, “Captain Huang, I call it dry humor.”

“Hmm!” Huang Zhenyi suddenly cleared his throat.

Xie Qing knew he was reminding her—Shen Qing had arrived.

“Hello,” Shen Qing blocked their path.

Huang Zhenyi asked, “Is there something you need, Miss Shen?”

Shen Qing wiped the tears from her face, “I want to know when my brother’s case will be solved and if you’ve touched his body.”

Huang Zhenyi said, “We’re heading back to the city bureau to conduct a blood test. If we confirm the presence of certain substances, there won’t be a need for an autopsy. As for when the case will be solved, it’s hard to say right now. But rest assured, Miss Shen, we will do everything we can to bring justice to the victim.”

Shen Qing nodded slightly and glanced towards the autopsy room, tears welling up again.

Huang Zhenyi said, “My condolences, Miss Shen.”

Shen Qing took a deep breath, “No need for formalities. If condolences could ease the pain, there would be no sorrow in the world.”

With that, she turned and walked away.

Huang Zhenyi was momentarily stunned by her words, then quickly composed himself and said to Xie Qing, “Let’s go, we need to hurry.”

Xie Qing nodded, thinking that Huang Zhenyi was indeed a good leader—capable and understanding. She was determined to help him solve this case.

…

Back at the technical room, Sister Ma Xuan was already waiting.

Xie Qing handed over the hair and blood samples and exchanged a few words about the case before heading back to the dormitory.

After freshening up, it was time for breakfast.

In the cafeteria, Xie Qing encountered Li Ji and Li Ke whispering to each other.

Li Ji said, “Xiao Xie, did you just come back from the funeral home?”

His question successfully drew the attention of their colleagues, and twenty pairs of eyes focused on Xie Qing.

Xie Qing nodded, took a tray, and got some buns, eggs, milk, and pickles from the window.

The cafeteria staff watched her with curiosity.

Unfazed, Xie Qing thanked them and sat down next to Li Ke.

Li Ke said, “Poor thing, you didn’t get much sleep, did you?”

“It was alright. I went to bed early last night,” Xie Qing replied, taking a bite of a bun.

Forensic doctors and police officers had irregular working hours, so she had long developed the habit of sleeping whenever she could.

In this era without smartphones, Xie Qing would read professional books before sleeping. Going to bed at nine and waking up at three gave her six hours of sleep, which was enough.

Li Ji asked, “Did you see Deputy Mayor Shen?”

Xie Qing nodded.

Li Ji looked around, “Some say it might be a revenge killing. Do you have any clues?”

Xie Qing said, “Not yet.”

Li Ji was in the first team, while the second team was responsible for Shen Yi’s case. Given the involvement of a high-ranking official, she, as a trainee forensic doctor, shouldn’t casually disclose case details.

Li Ke nudged her with her elbow, “Come on, tell us.”

“Beep beep beep…” Xie Qing’s pager went off.

She checked it and apologized, “My dad’s here. I need to go out for a bit. You two go ahead and eat.”